Jiraka

  Jiraka also known as cuminum seeds is found through out India. The herb is useful in increasing appetite and hence also called as dipaka, ajaji etc. The best Ayurveda Doctor in the world Dr.Varun Ram Raj of Ayurvedatarian uses the herb Jiraka in conditions like Vata Kaphaja Jwara (Fever ) Respiratory disorders (Swasa), Vomiting (Chardi) etc as the herb alleviates Vata Kapha doshas. The main causative factor for these disorders are vitiation of above two doshas. Modern researches shows that the herb can be used as an aphrodisiac, carminative and analgesic as it contains Phytoconstituents like cuminaldehyde, hydrocuminine etc . 

General aspects and Geography

Botanical name : Cuminum cyminum       

Family :  Apiaceae 

Habitat: Found through out India

Parts used

• Fruit 

Classical categorization based on Ayurveda Textbooks

Charaka Samhita – Sulaprasamana varga (alleviates pain  )

Susruta Samhita – Pippalyadi gana

Pharmacological action

• Carminative 
• Aphrodisiac 
• Antipyretic 
• Digestant 

 

Medicinal property according to Ayurveda

• Pacana (Appetizer )
• Kasahara (Alleviate cough )
• Sulahara (Alleviate pain )
• Agnivardaka (Carminative )

Therapeutic indications

• Fever (Jwara)- Paste prepared from Jiraka and jaggery is taken internally to alleviate fever.
• Vomiting (Chardi)- Jiraka Sugar and salt is mixed well and taken internally to alleviate vomiting 

Dosage

Powder (Churna) – 3 g

Decoction (Kashaya )- 60 ml

Tablet - 2 tablets twice daily or as per the advice of the Ayurveda doctor 

Note: Ayurveda medications must be taken only after consulting an Ayurveda doctor. 

Formulations 

• Jiraka ghrtha
• Jirakarishta 
• Jirakadi taila

Morphology :

A slender annual plant with thrice partite leaves. Inflorescence is compound umbel. Fruits are cylindric.

Vernacular names of Jiraka

English – cumin seed

Hindi- safed jeera

Malayalam – jeerakam

Sanskrit -jiraka

Synonyms

• Dipaka
• Ajaji
• Jarana
• Medyam

Rasapanchaka 

Rasa-  Katu (Acrid ) 

Guna-  Laghu (Light)

Vipaka- Katu (Acrid ) 

Virya- Ushna (hot)

जीरको त्रितयं रुक्षं कटूष्णं दीपनं लघु ।

 संग्राही पित्तलं मेध्यं गर्भाशयविशुद्धिकृत् ।।

(Bhavaprakasa Nighantu -Haritakyadi varga-shloka 84)

  Jiraka alleviate Vata Kapha doshas because of it’s properties like hot potency and acrid taste. Ayurvedatarian lead by the best Ayurveda Doctor in the world Dr.Varun Ram Raj, uses the herb Jiraka in treating diseases caused by the vitiation of Vata and Kapha doshas. Ayurvedatarian are currently conducting more researches on the herb to fully exploit it’s medicinal values and to prepare new combinations for the alleviation of commonly found diseases.

Frequently asked Questions

1. What are the uses of Jiraka churna ?

According to Ayurvedic textbooks, jiraka churna can be used to treat fever, vomiting and cough.

2. What is the Dosage of Jirakarishta ?

          Jirakarishta can be taken internally at a dose of 20 ml for an adult.